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Austria to begin border control implementation measures

Xinhua, September 16, 2015 Adjust font size:

The Austrian government will begin official implementation of temporary border controls from midnight Tuesday after notifying the European Union, the Interior Ministry told the Austria Press Agency.

After announcing its intention to reinstate border checks on Monday, the government officially informed the European Union of its plan in writing on Tuesday, specifically with the intention of attaining greater flexibility in dealing with both large waves of migrants wishing to enter Austria territory, as well as people smugglers.

"The intensity of the border controls will be limited to the amount required for security," the letter stated.

The controls will primarily be located at the Hungarian, Italian, Slovenian, and Slovakian borders.

The European Union responded that the measures appear in line with Schengen protocol, that allows for border controls to be implemented during times of crisis, but that the situation would be observed, and that the goal should be to reopen the borders as soon as possible.

The ministry has not yet provided details on the specific measures it will take at the borders, saying they were still in preparation, and that this includes how the armed forces will participate, with current coordination meetings going on with relevant ministries. Endit